Crystalline benzathine salt of cefonicid and its preparation

Abstract

The present invention relates to benzathine salts of cefonicid, a member of the cephalosporin family of antibiotics, which are crystalline. ##STR1##

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. N,N'-Dibenzylethylene diamine -7- (hydroxyphenylacetyl)amino-8-oxo-3-   1-(sulfomethyl)-1H-tetrazol-5-yl!thio!methyl!-5-thia-1-azabicyclo 4.2.0!oct-2-ene-2-carboxylate. 
     
     
       2. The compound of claim 1 having a melting point of about 189°-198° C. 
     
     
       3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       4. A pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 wherein such composition is a solid powder or crystalline composition. 
     
     
       5. A method for treating bacterial infections comprising administering the compound of claim 1. 
     
     
       6. A process for preparing the benzathine salt of cefonicid which comprises treating an aqueous solution or suspension of cefonicid with an organic solvent and N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine. 
     
     
       7. The process according to claim 6 wherein the aqueous solution is treated with acetone, ethyl acetate, methylethylketone, methyisobutylketone, methanol, ethanol, propanol or isopropanol. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 6 wherein the aqueous solution is between about pH 2 and 8.